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  1. #1
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    Troy's Avatar
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    International Driving Permit for Thailand

    I couldn't find this when I did a search...apologies in advance if it has been done to death before...

    My Thai Driving licence ran out a couple of years ago and, as I am now back in Europe, I can't renew it (I don't think I can anyway without a Type 'O').

    I was always under the impression that, having ratified the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, Thailand was obliged to accept a driving licence from another country who also signed up to the agreement, if they were on a Tourist Visa for the first 30 days. There are some caveats about being in English and having a photo but that was all.

    Anyway, in May the Thai police did me for 200Baht for not having an IDP...I mentioned the Thai Traffic Law of 1979 but they were having none of it...we didn't want them searching the truck so pulled the tea-money from the sun visor and they gave us a free-to-do-what-you-want-for-a-week ticket. That and the fact my UK driving licence had an out-of-date photo.

    I was doing some research into this and see that the Thais have not ratified the later 1968 Convention on Road Traffic. Does this mean they have trouble driving abroad (USA and Europe) and the problem is nothing more than childish tit-for-tat? Or is it simply that the Thai Police have no idea about their own laws and just want to make a fast buck?

    I now have a German licence that, unlike the UK attempt at an ID card, does not run out until my 70th Birthday. I no longer have to carry that silly piece of extra paper with it either...and they gave me an IDP that lasts for 3 years and not 1 year.

    A champagne moment that I just wanted to share...

  2. #2
    Knows fok all
    daveboy's Avatar
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    What didn't you want them to find in the truck then ?

  3. #3
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    I forgot to add the link to the 1979 Act I was referring to....

    Driving in Thailand Motor Vehicle Act » Driving in Thailand

    Title 3: Driver’s License

    Section 42
    Anyone who wishes to drive a motor vehicle on public roads must possess an appropriate driver’s license. The driver must carry the driver’s license and a photocopy of the registration book and show them to competent officers upon request. This does not apply for those who are learning to drive a motor vehicle according to the provision of Section 57.

    If the driver is an alien who doesn’t have an immigrant visa, he may drive a motor vehicle with a driver’s license specified in the Section 42-2. In such a case, he must carry documents specified by the treaty between the Thai government and the government which issued such driver’s license, and show them to competent officers upon request.

    Section 42-2
    In case there’s a treaty between the Thai government and a foreign government regarding mutual acceptance of driver’s license, an alien who doesn’t have an immigrant visa may drive a motor vehicle with a driver’s license issued by such a foreign government, or an automobile association authorized by such a foreign government.

  4. #4
    Thailand Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by daveboy
    What didn't you want them to find in the truck then ?
    The MIL....

  5. #5
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    Brilliant

  6. #6
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    Marmite the Dog's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Troy
    and show them to competent officers upon request.
    There's your problem. All Thai police are incompetent.

  7. #7
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    ^ The majority may be...and my ex got away with simply telling them that and waiting for their superior to come and apologise.

    Does anyone have a link to the original Thai version of the above Act? It's not really applicable to me any more but I'm curious. Some of the Police are quite fun and don't mind a bit of back chat...as long as its nothing nasty and gives them a laugh...

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